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Since the inaugural UEFA Champions League in 1992, players from around the world have competed for various clubs and have notched goals in the competition. Although, only a handful of players from a select few clubs have done it over many seasons at the highest level of the game.
A lot of players play late into their careers but only a few get to compete in the Champions League late in their careers. Players who play past 35 years of age for a Champions League team are elite level players with great levels of fitness, commitment and mental toughness.
Here we take a look at the five of the oldest goalscorers in the Champions League.
#5 Laurent Blanc - 36 years and 339 days (Olympiacos FC v Manchester United FC 23/10/2002)
Former France manager, Laurent Blanc is the fifth oldest goalscorer in the Champions League having netted against Olympiacos in the 02-03 season for English club Manchester United. United crashed out of the tournament after losing to Real Madrid in the quarter-finals that season.
Blanc headed home a Ryan Giggs corner and guided United to a 3-2 away victory over the Greek side. The former central defender was an excellent tackler and organiser of the defensive line with considerable aerial strength to back him up. With a great understanding of the game, his positional sense was sublime as a player.
Blanc has managed Bordeaux and PSG in addition to the French national side and is currently out of a job. A smart manager with a keen eye for attacking football, Blanc could be back in action managing a big team in Europe very soon.
#4 Javier Zanetti - 37 years and 72 days (Internazionale v Tottenham Hotspur 20/10/2010)
Former Argentinian and Inter Milan captain, Javier Zanetti is the fourth oldest Champions League goalscorer having netted against Spurs in the 2010-11 season at the San Siro. The game ended 4-3 in favour of Inter Milan, who seemed to be cruising 4-0 at the halftime break before Bale struck three goals in the brilliant second half and announced himself on the European stage.
The legendary club player, Zanetti finished off a neat quick move and opened the scoring in the game. The player lifted the trophy as club captain under Mourinho and played for nearly 20-years at the club.
Zanetti is the current vice-president of the club and is set to remain at the club for years to come and guide younger generations through the Inter-schools and bring the glory days back to Milan.
#3 Filippo Inzaghi - 37 years and 87 days (AC Milan v Real Madrid 03/11/2010)
Former Italian World Cup winner, Filippo Inzaghi is the third oldest goalscorer in the competition. The Italian legend scored a brace for AC Milan against Real Madrid in 2010, after coming off the bench in the match that ended 2-2 at the San Siro. Notably, Inzaghi claimed both his Champions League titles during his time with Milan.
Inzaghi scored his first goal of the game by reacting quickest to a loose ball in the six-yard area and nodding home with his head.The second goal was a poacher's finish, as he toe-poked the ball past Casillas' legs from a tight angle. With fantastic football knowledge, he is one of Italy's finest goalscorers and enjoyed a glorious 20-year career.
Now a full-time manager, Inzaghi was given the role of Milan boss although he failed to impress and was sacked after a year into the role in 2014. As he learns the art of management, Inzaghi could be a manager to look out for in the near future.
#2 Ryan Giggs - 37 years and 290 days (SL Benfica v Manchester United 14/09/2011)
Current Welsh manager, Ryan Giggs sits second on the list of list of oldest Champions League goalscorers having scored against Benfica in 2011-12 Champions League season for Manchester United
In a game that ended 1-1, Giggs scored the equaliser at the end of the first half with a piercing finish into the top corner that materialised after a surging run and thunderous left-foot effort. Giggs is one of the most decorated footballers of all time and has transitioned into a manager. The Welshman enjoyed a glittering 20-year career for United as a player winning the Champions League twice in 1998-99 and 08-09.
Giggs represented Manchester United for over 20 years, claiming every title in club football and has prepared him most situations in the game. Wales have appointed a highly experienced football professional in Giggs and he will look to hit the ground running.
#1 Francesco Totti - 38 years and 59 days (CSKA Moskva v AS Roma 25/11/2014)
Roma and Italian legend, Francesco Totti tops the list as the oldest Champions League goalscorer, having scored against CSKA Moscow in 2014, breaking Ryan Giggs' record. Totti rifled home a free kick in Moscow, from 25-yards out and became the oldest player to score in the competition.
Totti is revered in Roma and spent his entire 25-years as a professional footballer at the club. The Italian has won one Serie A once, during his time with Roma in 2000-01 and won the World Cup with Italy in 2006. A talented playmaker, Totti made space for himself around the box and scored numerous goals in all competitions.
The Champions League veteran, Totti has played in numerous seasons at the top level of European football but has failed to lift the Champions League trophy. Despite that, the striker and playmaker will go down in history as one of the craftiest players to have graced the game.
